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San Ysidro, CA – The Border Puppy Task Force (BPTF),
comprised of 14 California animal welfare and law enforcement
agencies, announced today the results of a two-week statistic
gathering operation conducted at the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro ports
of entry, at a press conference held at 11 a.m. today at the San
Ysidro border crossing. The collaborative operation was organized to
analyze animals transported from Mexico to the United States.
Thousands of underage puppies, many toy breeds,
are brought into the U.S. for re-sale via the border crossing
stations annually. Many are later discovered to be sick, potentially
creating a health epidemic for animals and people in the U.S. Adding
to this problem are the inhumane breeding and transportation issues,
an animal overpopulation problem that is already prevalent in the
U.S. , and the fact that people may spend thousands of dollars on
veterinary bills for a puppy in very poor health, which oftentimes
die. The situation may call for new laws to protect people and
animals. Some of the issues are the threat of rabies, zoonotic
diseases that can be transferred to humans, new disease epidemics,
inhumane living and transportation conditions, and fraudulent
business transactions by dealers and brokers with unsuspecting
buyers.
The BPTF was at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa
border crossings from December 5 through 18 gathering data. In the
last several years there has been a growing trend with the
popularity of smaller and “designer” breeds of dogs and as a result,
there has been an increase of puppies coming from the Mexico border
to sell in California , where the markup can be as much as
one-thousand percent.
“Buyers should beware when purchasing puppies at swap meets, parking
lots, and answering ads online or otherwise. These animals can cost
from $300 to $1,000 and may be under age, sick and carrying diseases
that are not initially visible,” said Captain Aaron Reyes, Director
of Operations, Southeast A rea Animal Control Authority (SEAACA).
During the two-week operation, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CMP) officers directed drivers with animals to
the secondary inspection area where humane and animal control
officers interviewed people and gathered statistics on the animals.
Drivers provided veterinary health records and depending on the
circumstances, were either cleared for entry, sent back to Mexico ,
or the animals were relinquished by owners, and in severe inhumane
circumstances, were impounded.
“Many times these animals are not being taken care of properly and
the sellers, brokers and transporters may face animal cruelty
charges,” said Captain David Havard, Vice President, spcaLA.
The BPTF is working closely with the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC), The California Department of Health
Services (DHS) and Los Angeles and San Diego County Health
Departments. The findings from the two-week period will be reviewed
by the CDC and D HS for quarantine and health issues. The task force
will be following up on contacts made during the border operation
and are exploring the feasibility of maintaining a long term
presence working alongside CBP Officers.
About the Border Task Force
The Border Puppy Task Force (BPTF) is a consortium of California
animal welfare and law enforcement agencies working together for the
well-being and protection of animals that are brought from Mexico
into the United States through California entry border points. The
BPTF is working in collaboration with the Centers for Disease
Control, California Department of Health Services, Los Angeles
County Department of Health Services and San Diego County Department
of Health Services and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
agencies.
Border Puppy Task Force Participants:
Chula Vista Animal Services
City of Los Angeles Animals Services
Inland Valley Humane Society and SPCA
Irvine Animal Services
Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control
National City Animal Control
Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA
Riverside County Animal Services
Sacramento County Department of Animal Services
San Diego County Department of Animal Services
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Santa Ana Animal Control
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA)
spcaLA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los
Angeles)
Health Agencies:
California Department of Health Services (DHS)
Centers for Disease Control (DCD)
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
San Diego County Department of Health Services
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Animal
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